Posts Tagged ‘chris beatty vocalcoach.com’
« Older Entries |Singing Turns Your Breath Into Music
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
I just saw a great cartoon from the old Family Circus series. The older brother is holding a trumpet and educating his younger sibling. He says,
“When you blow through here it turns your breath into music.”
That’s EXACTLY how a child would summarize the workings of a trumpet. He doesn’t need to know all the details. Someone else has taken care of that, and it works.
Well, guess what? In many ways we should think of our voices the same way. You move air from the lungs up through the mouth and it turns it into music. In fact, when performing, that’s about all you have room in your brain to think about. The rest of your attention should be on being an expressive communicator to the listener.
Don’t get me wrong. I am fully aware of all the mechanical and acoustical events going on as well as the preparation it takes to become a good singer. I’m just reminding us all that it’s easy to over-think the whole vocal process to the point of sounding and looking like a vocal robot.
Learning the mechanics in order to not have to think about the mechanics is the goal, and it is a process. But oh the joy of being able to just stand there and let your mind, body and spirit turn moving breath into a powerful and clear message.
Remember, it’s easy:
“When you blow through here it turns your breath into music.”
Have an amazing week, and let me know how Vocal Coach can help you do what you do, better.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training
Posted in Breathing, From The Heart of Chris Beatty, Teaching Kids To Sing, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
IS SINGING IN THE CAR OK FOR THE VOICE?
Monday, January 16th, 2012
WANT TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THIS BLOG? Click here: Blog-WarmingUpInCar_011612
Great Email Question
I got a great email question that asked this: “Chris, I bought the Vocal Coach series from you at a workshop you gave. You mention warming up while driving to rehearsal/gig. I thought I had heard not to do that. Is it ok to do that so long as posture is correct?” This is a super question because it deals with real life for a singer.
Ideal vs Reality
Let’s start with this: The “ideal” warm-up/practice scenario would have you peaceful and quiet, undisturbed. You are rested, have eaten well and have just read something relaxing. Maybe even had a string quartet playing during your meal. I’m not being sarcastic. Superstars like Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Jackson traveled with their own chef’s, food supply and, in the case of Pavarotti, entertainment.
Muscle Memory
Most singers who wait, and only warm-up and practice in perfect, ideal situations often just don’t do it. The result is that they don’t develop the muscle memory necessary for good singing.
Is Warming Up in the Car Ok?
I have sung all over the world and sometimes the only place I knew I could really “get away” to think and warm-up was in a rental car. Pavarotti and Jackson I am not, but I do know what my voice and mind and emotions feel like when I’m fully ready to perform and I’ll do about anything to make that happen. If you’re a choir or worship team member and the car is your only time to focus, put in a Vocal Coach Warm-Up or Daily Workout CD and go for it. The goal is to be ready.
If you do end up warming up in a car:
- Make sure the rear-view mirror is positioned comfortably high requiring you to sit tall to see out the back window.
- Keep your hands at the One and Three O’clock positions on the steerting wheel. It will stabilize your chest and ribs in a comfortably expanded position.
- Have a goal of physically feeling a free, rich tone since road noise, air conditioning etc. may make accurate hearing challenging.
- Don’t try to out-sing the car noise. Instead, sing smart. If you begin to strain, back off and recheck posture, breathing and tone. If you aren’t solid in those foundations make a plan, get some materials personal training and learn to do it right.
Ten Minutes Is Much Better Than Nothing
What it your schedule or situation doesn’t allow for a good warm-up? That’s where muscle memory and experience kick in and get you through, but it’s not something to get comfortable with. Those who do ultimately pay the price of sloppy, unpredictable performances. There is always some time to do humming and lip-trill exercises even if it’s while you’re in the shower and getting ready.
Summary
Do all you can to assure regular warm-up and practice times in ideal surrounding. When that can’t happen, make sure to still prepare your voice and heart even if you need to hide in the janitor’s closet or a car to do it.
Got a Question You Would Like Answered?
Just email me at chris@vocalcoach.com and put “Question” in the subject.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal coach, vocal training, voice training, worship leader
Posted in Soloist, Uncategorized, Vocal Coach Audios, Warm-Ups, Worship Team | No Comments »
I am His, & He is mine.
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
New Year Thoughts from Carole
2011 has been a year we all would like to forget because of the economy. But my Father owns all the cattle on a thousand hills & He has never failed to provide over & above what I could ever think or ask. As we enter 2012, I know the thoughts that the Lord thinks towards me are thoughts of peace and not of evil, but to give me a future & a hope. Jeremiah 29:11. How I rejoice in knowing I am His, & He is mine.
May this be a year of victory and of peace in your life.
Carole
Tags: chris beatty vocalcoach.com, singing lessons, vocal training, vocalcoach.com
Posted in Carole Cares | No Comments »
KEEPING A MOIST VOICE IN DRY WEATHER
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
IT’S WINTER. THAT MEANS LOTS OF SINGING AND DRYER AIR
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES all singers face is recognizing how dehydrating singing is even in the best of times. Every time we exhale we are losing moisture. In fact, when a singer like Chris Tomlin does a full concert he’s apt to lose a gallon or more of water in one night just through the breath. Add to that normal perspiration and evaporation through the skin and you need some serious hydration just to stay even. In winter, the air inside and outside is dryer it makes it even worse.
THE REAL DANGER is the control you can lose and the damage you can cause if the vocal folds (vocal cords) don’t have the right lubrication as they articulate thousands of times during a phrase.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP maintain the needed moisture include:
- Keep your body hydrated, drinking a minimum of 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day. If you weigh 160 pounds that means 80 ounces of water. If you weigh 500 pounds you ate too much on Thanksgiving day
. - If you’re physically active playing sports, shoveling snow or whatever you’ll need additional water just to stay even.
- If you’re singing, or even doing a lot of speaking you need to anticipate those times by starting to super-hydrate several days before. Drink, drink, drink and make it mostly water or juices, not caffienated drinks.
- In addition to keeping your system hydrated there are times to consider some topical moisture in the nose and throat area. This can be accomplished
with a Vick’s Personal Steam Inhaler. It’s made by Kaz and sold at Target, Walmart etc ($25-30) or Entertainer’s Secret Throat Spray (vocalcoach.com/store $6.95 ea). The steam inhaler also helps is you’ve over-used the voice a bit. The Entertainer’s Secret is a great, topical moisturizer that will keep the nasal passages, sinuses and upper throat moist even in a dry setting.
Tags: chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, dry throat, singing lessons, vocal training, voice lessons
Posted in Choir Directors, Performance, Soloist, Uncategorized, Vocal Health, Worship Team | No Comments »
“I WANT A VOCAL COACH, NOT MORE CD’S!”
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
REMINDER OF DALLAS VOCAL COACH WORKSHOP
HAS YOUR VOICE HAD A TUNE-UP LATLEY?
There are still a few openings left for the Saturday, November 12th Vocal Coach Workshop in Dallas. It will be held at the “Voice Kitchen” video studio and limited to 15 students. I will be teaching “live” from my studio in TN and we’ll all see and hear each other throughout. 9:00-Noon Nov 12th. This is a great value. Just click here for more info or to sign up.
“I WANT A VOCAL COACH, NOT MORE CD’s!”
I totally get that statement. Regular, personal training from a skilled and experienced teacher/coach is the ideal. BUT, in real life that means living near one of those teachers who is probably going to charge a good bit, and they deserve it.
I HONESTLY BELIEVE you can get the “information” and “personal feedback” you need by using a combination of affordable methods.
TO START WITH, you really can learn (or be reminded of) much of the fundamentals through carefully structured CD’s. (There has to be a reason we’ve sold over 1 million of them.)
TO CONTINUE learning you will, at some point, want feedback and interaction from a teacher, or coach. In my case I am both voice teacher (technique) and coach (expression, interpretation, staging etc.). Because we live in the Internet Age you can literally be interacting with a teacher fom a desktop, laptop, iPad or even iPhone with full audio and video. If you’re in the Dallas areas you can start with the Nov small class. Or just schedule an ONLINE SESSION with me on our site. All you need is an Internet connection and a web cam and mic which are part of most computers or very inexpensive to add.
SUMMARY: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT ALL TO BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE. You can download a training CD in 5 minutes from our VOCAL COACH STORE at vocalcoach.com where you can also schedule an online session. And, don’t forget the free tips and other free resources our site, or email me at chris@vocalcoach.com.
Hope to hear from you or see you soon Online.
Chris
Tags: chris beatty vocalcoach.com, performance training, singing lessons, vocal coaching, worship leader
Posted in From the Coach, Singing and Voice Lessons, Vocal Coach Workshops | No Comments »
HAS YOUR VOICE HAD A TUNE-UP LATELY? Dallas Vocal Coach Workshop Nov. 12th
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Has Your Voice Had A Tune-Up Lately?
SING HIGHER, LOWER AND LONGER WITHOUT VOCAL FATIGUE
JOIN US SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12th, 9:00 a.m. to Noon for a Live, Interactive Video Vocal Coach Workshop in Dallas TX
with Chris & Carole Beatty.
Co-Sponsored by Vocal Coach and the THE VOICE KITCHEN in Dallas
WHO IS IT FOR? Singers, Worship Leaders, Choir Members, Teachers, Pastors.
HOW DOES A LIVE VIDEO WORKSHOP WORK? It’s simple. You arrive at the Voice Kitchen in Dallas November 12th at 9:00. That classroom will be connected by live video feed to our Vocal Coach studio in Brentwood TN. That’s it! We see, hear and interact with each other throughout the workshop.
HOW BIG WILL THE CLASS BE? In an effort to maximize personal attention the class will be limited to the first 15 who sign up.
WHAT WILL IT COVER? The critical foundations that even experienced singers and speakers need to fine-tune.
- POSTURE: Sounds boring but it’s NOT! Discovering a natural, balanced posture benefits not only your voice but the way you look and function in life. It’s a posture you can live with.
- BREATHING: Breath is the power behind the voice. The problem is, many of us have been taught strange techniques that really don’t make sense. Our approach will make sense and the exercises you will learn will build good “breath management” for your speaking and singing. Many of us breathe the wrong way. We actually interfere with our own technique.
- TONE: What do you sound like when all the tension and bad technique is gone? You will be amazed at the sound and feeling of a free voice for speaking and singing. Get ready for your absolute best sound. It may surprise you.
- DICTION: Believe it or not, when you clean up some diction habits your voice is much happier, the sound is cleaner and the message is easier to understand. The Vocal Coach approach to diction is used world-wide by thousands with great success.
- WARM-UPS & COOL-DOWNS: Those who depend on their voices are really vocal athletes. After all, the voice is a physical, mechanical and acoustical instrument. As you learn to warm-up and cool down your voice you will avoid injury and maximize your performance.
- YOUR QUESTIONS: We’ll also be taking your questions and working through other areas that will make you the best you can be.
WHAT IS THE COST? Less than a one-hour personal session in the Vocal Coach studio, and you don’t need to drive or fly to Nashville and pay for a hotel. Your total cost is $75.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? Just go to WWW.VOICEKITCHEN.COM or email studio@voicekitchen.com. You can also call Jill at the Voice Kitchen at 469-383-8885. Technical questions can be addressed to chris@vocalcoach.com.
REMEMBER: THERE ARE ONLY 15 SEATS FOR THIS WORKSHOP, SO ACT NOW!
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, Dallas Vocal Workshop, Dallas Workshop, Vocal Coach Workshop, Vocal Workshop
Posted in Choir Directors, Performance, Singing and Voice Lessons, Uncategorized, Worship Team | 2 Comments »
Training Children’s Voices is Important & Now Is The Time
Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Please Click Here: Chris Beatty on Training Children’s Voices
As you click on the link above you will hear my thoughts about helping our children become the best communicators they can be.
The more our kids learn about their voices, and how to use them in speaking and singing the clearer communicators they will be, and that’s important for a successful future.
Carole and I have six grandchildren and have taught literally thousands of students, young and old, around the world. We really “get it” when it comes to teaching and coaching our kids the right way.
Please click on the audio link above, then let me know that you think by emailing chris@vocalcoach.com
Chris
Tags: chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com, kids singing lessons, singing kids, singing lessons, singing lessons for children, Teaching kids to sing
Posted in Kids and Teens, Teaching Kids To Sing, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Just The Right Amount of Air
Thursday, March 24th, 2011
Not Enough Breath To Get The Job Done?
TOO MUCH AIR?
When a singer begins performing publicly there is a tendency to push too much air. It is often the result of adrenaline, combined with the unfamiliar feedback from monitors and house speakers. If you take in too much air, then push it out too fast, it can compromise pitch, tone quality and more.
TOO LITTLE AIR?
Then, there are those who suddenly get timid as they hear their own voices through the sound system and are unsure of how to react. Some singers are so distracted they actually forget to breathe and find themselves panicking as a result.
THE GOAL IS . . . JUST WHAT YOU NEED
The goal is to provide the larynx with just the right amount of air, and air pressure to get the job done. That means, of course, that the brain has to know what the demands of the phrase are. The vocal range, length of each note, volume and even the style. Once that is understood, as a result of studying the song, the brain can tell the respiratory system exactly what to provide. As long as the breathing mechanism has been exercised the right way it will have the agility and stamina to do the job.
Sound complicated? It is. But, most of this will happen automatically if you will spend some time training and exercising the different parts of your singing mechanism. It also requires that you spend some time working with and analyzing what you want to do with the song.
60' Tall Inflatable Slide. Just the right amount of air brings joy to all!
SOME PEOPLE DO IT SO EASILY
“But,” you might say, “some people seem to do it so easily and naturally.” True, but it probably took them a few years for it to become “easy and natural.” Many artists and athletes appear to become overnight successes, but it seldom happens over night. You just hadn’t heard about them while they were struggling through the training periods.
SOME TIPS FOR MASTERING THE AIR FLOW
- First, remember that the voice is a wind instrument. A moving column of air, traveling between the vocal folds is what makes the sound. Therefore, the way you move the air has everything to do with your success. As you look at the pictures of the 60′ tall inflatable slide it becomes clear that the right about of air is necessary if it is to serve its purpose. Too little will collapse it. Too much could pop. But, just the right amount brings joy to hundreds, just like good singing.
- Balanced posture allows you free, efficient breathing. Slouching, or sticking the head out over your toes will limit your chances for success.
- Practicing breathing as its own skill, using sipping and hissing exercises while watching for a still posture gets the muscles ready. That, in turn, leads to good muscle memory.
- As you inhale, remember to feel it down and out. That is, feel your inhalations expanding fully around the waist area, front, sides and into the lower back.
- As you exhale, keep the back and sides stable. Allow the frontal abdominal wall to come in as needed but keep the back and sides comfortably expanding.
IT’S NOT MAGIC
REMEMBER: Even with singers who seem to have an almost “magical” touch when they perform it’s really a matter of Preparation, combined with Inspiration and experience. Do the work . . . the right way . . . and you, too, will get good results.
DON’T MISS SPECIAL OFFERS
Don’t forget to check the Vocal Coach Store for current special offers and make the most of your instrument. If you’re looking for a tool to get your breathing squared away take a look at the COMPLETE BREATHING CD. To see other special offers check out the HOME PAGE.
Tags: blog.vocalcoach.com, breath control, breath support, Breathing, chris beatty, chris beatty vocalcoach.com
Posted in Breathing, Posture, Singing Subjects, Soloist, Tone, Uncategorized | No Comments »
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